Along West Florissant just north of 270, in Greystone Plaza, about 20 men with handguns and AR-15 rifles stood around the perimeter of the parking lot, guarding the dozen or so stores.
They estimated that 100 cars had come by throughout the night, seemingly to check the place out, but turned away.
Mike Cross, the owner of St. Louis Ink at the plaza, said: “There’s nothing in this strip mall open, so you’re going to get scrutinized.”